Pigs as clinically relevant models for synergizing interventional oncology and immunotherapy

Traditionally, rodent cancer models have driven pre-clinical oncology research. However, they do not fully recapitulate characteristics of human cancers, and their size poses challenges when evaluating tools in the interventional oncologists' armamentarium. Pig models, however, have been the gold standard for validating surgical procedures. Their size enables the study of image-guided interventions using human US, CT, and MRI platforms. Furthermore, pigs have immunologic features that are similar to those in humans, which can potentially be leveraged for studying immunotherapy. Novel pig models of cancer are being developed but additional research is required to better understand both the pig immune system and malignancy to enhance the potential for pig models in interventional oncology research. In this review, we will address the main advantages and disadvantages of using a pig model for interventional oncology and outline the specific characteristics of pig models that make them better suited to investigate locoregional therapies. Traditionally, rodent cancer models have driven pre-clinical oncology research. However, they do not fully recapitulate characteristics of human cancers, and their size poses challenges when evaluating tools in the interventional oncologists' armamentarium. Pig models, however, have been the gold standard for validating surgical procedures. Their size enables the study of image-guided interventions using human US, CT, and MRI platforms. Furthermore, pigs have immunologic features that are similar to those in humans, which can potentially be leveraged for studying immunotherapy. Novel pig models of cancer are being developed but additional research is required to better understand both the pig immune system and malignancy to enhance the potential for pig models in interventional oncology research. In this review, we will address the main advantages and disadvantages of using a pig model for interventional oncology and outline the specific characteristics of pig models that make them better suited to investigate locoregional therapies.